Chapter 7

For the next few days, Adrian surprisingly didn't go to his study.

He stayed at home, and as if sensing my low mood, he even made Seraphina apologize to me, a rare occurrence.

Seraphina stood before me.

She lowered her head, her apology as perfunctory as if she were reciting lines. "Claire, I'm sorry. I was too impulsive that day."

I gave her a cold glance.

Too lazy to engage, I turned and went back to my room.

*Bang!* I slammed the door shut.

Outside the door, Seraphina flinched.

She threw herself into Adrian's arms, her voice trembling like grass in the wind. "Adrian, she won't hit me, will she?"

Adrian patted her back.

His voice was deep, like he was comforting a child. "With me here, no one can touch you."

No sooner had he spoken than a commotion started in my room.

It sounded like things were being rummaged through and overturned.

Adrian frowned.

He raised his hand, intending to knock, but the door was suddenly yanked open by me.

I emerged carrying a large box, not even glancing at him, and headed straight for the living room's trash bin.

*Whump!* Everything went in.

Adrian's eyes tightened.

The box contained things I'd collected over the years.

His casually written symbols, his used teacup, and the only item he'd ever given me—a string of carved wooden beads.

I’d practically begged him for those.

Now, I threw them all away, like a pile of junk.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice as cold as frost.

I clapped my hands, dusting them off.

"Nothing. I don't want them anymore," I said flatly.

Your things, your presence, I, Claire Thorne, want none of it.

With that, I turned and walked away.

I didn't look back.

Seraphina watched the scene, a flicker of triumph in her eyes.

She deliberately drew out her words. "Adrian, aren't you going to comfort Claire?"

Adrian was silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "No need. She'll come around. Soon enough, she'll pick those things back up."

Just like the past five years, I had always clung to him, always loved him.

Through the wall, I heard his words from my room.

I almost laughed out loud.

Wrong, Adrian. You're wrong this time.

That evening, he said he wanted to take Seraphina and me to a charity gala.

I didn't want to go.

But he said flatly, "Your friend Maya will be there too. You've been cooped up for so long, don't you want to get some fresh air?"

I was silent for a while.

Finally, I changed my clothes.

Recent events had left me suffocated. I needed to find someone to have a few drinks with.

On the way there, I didn't say a word to either of them.

I closed my eyes and leaned back in the backseat, pretending to be asleep.

Halfway there, there was a sudden loud crash—

*Bang!*

Blinding headlights rushed at us.

I only had time to see a runaway car heading straight for us.

The next second, the world turned upside down.

When I woke again, my nose was full of the smell of rust.

I struggled to open my eyes and found Seraphina and me tied to two chairs.

Our hands were bound behind our backs, and bombs were strapped to our chests.

I remembered.

Before I blacked out, the people who got out of the car that hit us were the youngest son of the Stone family, Adrian's corporate rivals.

He had kidnapped us. Was he retaliating against Adrian?

Seraphina next to me was crying hysterically.

Her voice was shrill like a knife. "Help! Is anyone there?! I don't want to die!"

The bomb's countdown was down to just a few minutes.

I forced myself to calm down, my fingers fumbling for the wire.

But her wailing was giving me a headache. I spoke coldly, "Why are you crying? If you don't want to die, hurry up and defuse your own."

She cried even harder.

"Don't yell at me! I don't know how! Adrian, where are you?! I'm so scared…"

Before she could finish, the warehouse door was violently kicked open.

Adrian burst in.